I'm looking into getting a Z and I've seen several mentions of getting the late 04 model as opposed to the early 04 model. What's the difference between the 2 and how do I tell when I'm looking at the car?

 

The differences (such as knee pads) are so trivial they are not worth considering.

 

Trivial???

One of the main differences was the new suspension that solved the ride issues that the '03 guys complained so much about.

 

Isn't the ECU different for 2004.5 and later models? A Dealer's service tech can't change the idle for 2004.5 and later models like they can the 2003 and early 2004 cars.

 

About 5/6 months, heehee.

 

HOLD UP!

there is a huge change between 04's and 04.5's

in a nutt shell... the 04.5's (later model 04's) ware made in another factory and not the Oppama factory in Japan. When they were transfered to another factory's production line their suspensions got the new 05 spec since allot of early modeled Z hade tire feathering (cupping) issue. + many other small changes in regards to some other complaints.

do yourself a favore and buy an 04.5 model or even safer 05 model. the easiest way to distingwish this is in the 04's is the knee pads. my opinion is stay away from those witout a knee pad (simple rule)

my 2 cents after researching many countless hourse b4 I purchased my Z 2 months ago. And now I love my redline 04.5 Z! It is problem free! (knock on wood)

 

anyone got a pic of these "knee pads" ? thanks!

 

[/PIC]https://my350z.com/photogallery/show...to=229&cat=569[/PIC]

if you look at the right of the center console ware your knee would be hitting..... those little rectangular things are it.

 

I have an 2004.5 with knee pads and it still had tire feathering issues, so 2004.5 isn't a sure thing.

 

the knee pad panel looks like this



Little arms that hold the seatbelt out
ULEV2 ECU (wideband O2)
Stiffer rear springs and changed shocks

There is some other stuff I can't remember right now as well.
Chris

 

I have an early 04...my suspension is perfect. I do have the arms that hold the seat built out...but no knee pads. With any year you can have any given problem. Ive seen 05-06 that have tire feathering and oil consumption problems, and 03-04 with tire feathering and tranny..So there is a chance that you can have a problem with any of the years. So idk about being 100% safe with an 04.5 or later

 

That's not exactly true. The 04.5s went into production in September and stopped at the end of December and were made at Oppama. The remaining 04.5s were make at Tochigi from Jan on.

 

Also, it is base on my understanding that because of the suspension change, the 04.5 models do not handle as well as the 04. Many people who have driven the 05 (including me, i have an 03) can tell the difference in the way the two handles.

Also, lets not forget about the tranny. susposely, the 04.5 had a new tranny that kept them from grinding gears.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I went and read a lot of that long thread about the tire feathering and that is just messed up. You really gotta feel for some of those guys.

 

Actually, I've heard it the other way around. The "new" suspension handles better than the initial one from the '03s and '04s.

 

I have 2004.5

I have transmission grinding in 6th, getting new one soon. I'm having oil consumption. Suspension isn't that great for street especially pot holes and bumps, but a lot better for track.

Knee pads are so useless, i never hit them unless i'm sitting in a lowrider gangsta position.

 

Like I said:

“The differences (such as knee pads) are so trivial they are not worth considering.”

 

I guess thats all perspective. I personally like the ride of my 03 better. It just seems like its more stiff in the corners.